Erik Menendez, one of the infamous Menendez brothers convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy for the killing of their parents, has voiced his disapproval of Ryan Murphy’s portrayal of their story in Netflix’s new series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
In a statement shared online through his wife Tammi Menendez’s X account, Erik criticized the series for what he described as “ruinous character portrayals” of both himself and his brother Lyle.
He also accused Murphy of creating the series with bad intentions, rather than simply misunderstanding the facts.
“It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives as to do this without bad intent,” Erik wrote in the statement.
Erik, who is serving a life sentence with Lyle at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, condemned the series for perpetuating “dishonest” narratives, particularly in how it depicts male trauma and sexual abuse.
He expressed disappointment that the show represents a step backward in understanding childhood trauma, calling the series damaging and slanderous.
Erik concluded his message by thanking those who have supported him and calling for the truth to be upheld.
The miniseries, which graphically portrays the Menendez brothers’ 1989 murders of their parents, features Javier Bardem as their father, José Menendez, and Chloë Sevigny as their mother, Kitty Menendez.
Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch portray Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Variety’s chief TV critic, Aramide Tinubu, was also critical of the series. Tinubu noted that while the show attempts to explore the trauma that led to the crime, its narrative ultimately feels “futile and bizarre.”
